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Rob Ford book Crazy Town by Robyn Doolittle of the Toronto Star due in February 2014

Publisher promises 'shocking new revelations' will be kept under wraps till then

Not the actual cover of Crazy TownPhoto: Marc Lostracco

Marc Weisblott

Published: October 16, 2013 - 12:30 PM

Updated: November 7, 2013 - 6:33 AM

UPDATE: While originally scheduled for a March publication date, Crazy Town will now be released in February, with a revised conclusion that ends on the day when Ford admitted that he has smoked crack cocaine.

One of the Toronto Star reporters who saw a video that allegedly shows Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine now has a publication date set for her 304-page book about the life of the Toronto mayor and his relatives.

Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story was the title confirmed by Penguin Canada on Wednesday afternoon along with the promise of “shocking new revelations” that will presumably not be otherwise exposed for four-and-a-half more months.

No details had been released about Robyn Doolittle’s deal with the Viking Canada imprint were known when a holding page and pre-order opportunity surfaced on Amazon.ca in advance of the March hardcover publication date, along with what may or may not have been a working title: Ford Family.

Subsequent to this Canada.com discovery, the following press release was issued — a total coincidence, no doubt:

PENGUIN CANADA TO PUBLISH ROB FORD STORY BY ROBYN DOOLITTLE

Penguin Canada will publish a book containing shocking new revelations about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, his family and associates by the Toronto Star reporter who has closely covered Ford’s career. Crazy Town: The Rob Ford Story, by Robyn Doolittle, will chronicle Ford’s ascent from a flamboyant city councillor to a mayor embroiled in controversy. The book, under the Viking Canada imprint, will be released in March 2014. Publishing Director Diane Turbide acquired rights from Martha Magor Webb with Chris Bucci of Anne McDermid & Associates.

Robyn Doolittle is a city hall reporter with the Toronto Star. She began her career covering crime and moved to the municipal politics beat during the 2010 mayoral elections. A graduate of Ryerson University’s journalism school, Doolittle has lived in Toronto since 2002.

Since cover art for the book did not accompany the announcement, here is one that Amazon could always put in its place for now, courtesy of Marc Lostracco:

The actual cover that was unveiled as the Ford drama escalated in early November:

Doolittle’s research for the book at the Ford’s occasional vacation spot was apparently referenced in July by Ford-supporting rival Sue-Ann Levy of the Toronto Sun, who happens to be working on a memoir of her own, with the working title Underdog.